TEMPE, Ariz. – You think you're excited to see Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in the same lineup? Check out Jered Weaver's take:

"I don't think I'll be running to the bathroom any time during the game," Weaver said. "I don't want to miss anything. It'll be nice to see those guys doing work."

The first glimpse of a Pujols-Hamilton duo was on display Tuesday on a back field at the Angels complex, where superstars with four combined MVPs (three for Pujols) took batting practice together. Both were there days ahead of the first full-squad workout on Friday. Pujols was early because he's rehabbing from minor knee surgery, and Hamilton said he always gets to camp early.

Until Tuesday, the two stars had known each other only in passing.

"Today was the first day I really got to spend time with him," Hamilton said. "I always knew about him taking his job seriously, working hard, staying focused, and doing the best he can to win ballgames. You can definitely see that."

Manager Mike Scioscia, speaking before Pujols hit, said the slugger "looks like he's in great shape."

Pujols, 33, will nonetheless be slowly worked into the routine this spring, Scioscia said. He'll only take ground balls hit right at him initially, and he won't be playing when the exhibition games start Feb. 23.

As for Hamilton, he arrived in camp weighing about 225 pounds, which he said is at least 20 pounds less than his typical weight at the start of the spring. Hamilton said it's a result of a changed diet. He cut out bread and started "doing the juicing stuff with fruits and vegetables."

Hamilton, 31, said he used to start out the season heavier and then lose weight as the year wore on.

"I figure I can come in at a weight I feel good at maintain that all year," Hamilton said. "Last year and the years before you lose so much weight and you get tired. You battle it all year. Hopefully now I don't have to battle it. I want to get my weight settled and stay there."

The weight loss began as part of a fast Hamilton underwent for his church, he said. He gave up bread.

"The Lord kept waking me up in the middle of the night over a month and every time I'd wake up there'd be a doctor on talking about what you put in your body and how it makes you feel," Hamilton said. "And then the juice lady was on. It was like, all right, I always pray the Lord will help me feel better. Well, that's all great, but am I doing my part? Now its time for me to do my part."

The Angels simply want Hamilton and Pujols to do their part on the field. If they do, the Angels will have arguably the best middle-of-the-lineup pair in baseball.

"There are good 3-4s everywhere," Scioscia said, "but if you look at the balance of one being right-handed and one being left-handed, these guys are terrific. I think they are going to feed off each other and hopefully they are doing to do what they are capable of doing."

MRI FOR MADSON

Closer Ryan Madson, who has not thrown since Feb. 1 because of a setback in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, was set to undergo an MRI exam Tuesday afternoon.

General Manager Jerry Dipoto called it a "standard precautionary procedure," and added that Madson would be allowed to resume throwing if the results were clean.

Madson said Monday he felt good enough to throw, but the Angels held him back to be cautious.

NOTES

Scioscia said few of the Angels' everyday players will be playing when the exhibition schedule starts Feb. 23. The extra week of exhibition games is intended mainly for the players who are in the World Baseball Classic. Erick Aybar is the only Angels player expected to play in the WBC.

Left-hander Sean Burnett, who had offseason elbow surgery, said he's 100 percent and on the same schedule as the other relievers.

Right-hander Tony Pena, one of the most accomplished pitchers among the Angels non-roster invites, is 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery said he has not thrown since October, when he suffered a setback after throwing one pitch in winter ball. Pena said he's feeling good now and is planning to resume throwing next week.

Right-hander Hiroyuki Kobayashi pitched last season in the minors in Japan, and said he didn't understand why he didn't get called up after 12 seasons in the Japanese majors. Kobayashi, 34, said he has always wanted to pitch in the United States "and this is the time." Scioscia said he has to wait to see Kobayashi pitch in games before he can assess how realistic his chances are to make the team.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.